Switzerland – Visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian (Bern, 18 September 2020)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will visit Bern on September 18. He will be received by Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation, and by his counterpart, Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

In the context of the health crisis, and in view of the vitality of cross-border trade, the issue of the free movement of persons between France and Switzerland, and more broadly, coordination of the response at the European level, will be the focus of the discussions.

The ecological transition, a major issue of common interest, water management in the Rhone basin, as well as various projects - notably rail projects - aimed at improving mobility in the catchment areas of cross-border regions, will also be discussed.

The ministers will notably discuss bilateral relations, as well as key international issues and the forthcoming deadlines for EU-Swiss relations. Like France, Switzerland is attached to preserving strong and effective multilateralism.